TENSION

05.05.12

Clinton Leaves China

Shannon Stapleton / AP-pool

After avoiding a near diplomatic crisis, Hillary Clinton has departed from Beijing, as Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng awaits approval to come to the United States. Guangcheng left his refuge in the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday and is still in the hospital recovering, though reportedly U.S. officials and his lawyer have not been allowed access to him. The Chinese government agreed to grant the activist a study abroad visa, and he has been offered a fellowship at New York University. Guangcheng's fate is still unclear, and some have criticized the U.S. response. "U.S. officials made a mistake by escorting Chen away from the safety of the U.S. Embassy and into an uncertain fate," said Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Republican chairman of the House of Representatives's Foreign Affairs Committee.